2016 Kia Sorento: recalls and complaints

NHTSA advisory: park outsideCampaign 22V703000. NHTSA received the report on 19 Sep 2022. 70,887 units. Trailer Hitches

Remedy of campaign 22V703000, in the NHTSA record

Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.

Park-outside advisory: A mark on a recall campaign in the NHTSA recall file. This site shows the mark as NHTSA sets it.

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2016 Kia Sorento. The newest campaign is 22V703000. NHTSA received the report on 19 Sep 2022. The NHTSA record gives the component Trailer Hitches. NHTSA has no complaint on file for this model year. 3 NHTSA investigations name this model year.

This page cannot show if a recall applies to one vehicle. The NHTSA VIN lookup shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle.

NHTSA VIN lookup

Complaint information entered into NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation vehicle owner's complaint database is used with other data sources to identify safety issues that warrant investigation and to determine if a safety-related defect trend exists.
NHTSA publishes these words. Source: NHTSA Datasets and APIs, section Complaints, read on 1 Oct 2026. Complaint file through 29 Mar 2018. Recall file through 29 Sep 2026.

Since the last update

No tracked figure of this page changed in a data update. What the log tracks

All updates to the register

Recall campaigns

8 campaigns, newest first. 205,074 units in total.

22V70300019 Sep 2022Trailer HitchesAdvisory
22V61200010 Aug 2022Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Lever and Linkage / Column Shift
18V90700019 Dec 2018Engine
16V86200030 Nov 2016Trailer Hitches
16V77000024 Oct 2016Seats
16V48000029 Jun 2016Suspension / Rear
15V44600014 Jul 2015Seat Belts / Front / Buckle Assembly
15V08900013 Feb 2015Vehicle Speed Control / Accelerator Pedal

22V703000Received 19 Sep 2022. 70,887 units.
Trailer HitchesPark-outside advisory
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
Report filed by Kia America, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number SC249. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 27 Jul 2023.
22V612000Received 10 Aug 2022. 28,065 units.
Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Lever and Linkage / Column Shift
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016 Sedona and Sorento vehicles. The vehicles may have been manufactured with faulty automatic transmission shift lever assembly components, preventing the shift lever from locking, which can allow the vehicle to rollaway.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash and injury.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will inspect and replace the automatic transmission shift lever assembly components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 7, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC246.
Report filed by Kia America, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number SC246. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 7 Oct 2022.
18V907000Received 19 Dec 2018. 71,653 units.
Engine
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
Report filed by Kia Motors America. Manufacturer campaign number SC172. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 17 Jan 2019.
16V862000Received 30 Nov 2016. 10,212 units.
Trailer Hitches
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to August 25, 2016, and 2017 Sportage vehicles manufactured December 10, 2015, to August 26, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer tow hitch harness, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC142.
Report filed by Kia Motors America. Manufacturer campaign number SC142. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 19 Jan 2017.
16V770000Received 24 Oct 2016. 1,408 units.
Seats
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured March 3, 2016 to March 21, 2016. The driver's seatback frame may have been produced with inadequate weld joints and, as a result, the seatback may not function as designed in the event of a rear-end collision.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
In the event of a crash, the driver seatback frame could break and fail to restrain a seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the welds and replace the driver seatback frame, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 9, 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC140.
Report filed by Kia Motors America. Manufacturer campaign number SC140. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 9 Dec 2016.
16V480000Received 29 Jun 2016. 7,901 units.
Suspension / Rear
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sorento vehicles. A component of the rear suspension may not be properly welded.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
The improper weld may break, affecting the rear suspension alignment, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the welds at the rear suspension cross-member, replacing the rear cross-member assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 27, 2016. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service Department at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC137.
Report filed by Kia Motors America. Manufacturer campaign number SC137. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 27 Jul 2016.
15V446000Received 14 Jul 2015. 2,587 units.
Seat Belts / Front / Buckle Assembly
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured October 23, 2014, to December 10, 2014. The affected vehicles have a front passenger seat belt whose buckle latch assembly may prevent the front passenger from fastening the seat belt.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
If the front passenger seat belt cannot be latched, an occupant sitting in the front passenger seat has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat belt buckle cover, free of charge. The recall began on August 18, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC123.
Report filed by Kia Motors America. Manufacturer campaign number SC123. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 18 Aug 2015.
15V089000Received 13 Feb 2015. 12,361 units.
Vehicle Speed Control / Accelerator Pedal
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to January 29, 2015. Due to an improperly soldered component in the accelerator pedal assembly, the driver may not be able to accelerate the vehicle.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
If the vehicle is unable to be accelerated, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the accelerator assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 19, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC115.
Report filed by Kia Motors America. Manufacturer campaign number SC115. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 20 Feb 2015.

The campaign number opens the NHTSA record. Each quotation is the text of the NHTSA recall file.

Recall campaign: One recall in the NHTSA recall file, with one campaign number. A campaign can name many makes, models and model years.

Units: The number of vehicles or products that a recall can include. The manufacturer or the firm reports the number to the agency.

Complaints by component

The NHTSA complaint file has no complaint for this model year.

Investigations

NHTSA investigations that name the 2016 Kia Sorento
Number	Type	Subject	Component	Opened	Closed
PE23019	Preliminary evaluation	Loss of Motive Power	Engine and Engine Cooling / Engine / Oil/Lubrication / Seals/Gaskets	13 Nov 2023	23 Jul 2024
DP22003	Defect petition	Loss of Motive Power	Engine	12 Sep 2022	12 Dec 2023
DP21002	Defect petition	Engine Oil Pressure Switch Leak	Engine and Engine Cooling / Engine / Oil/Lubrication / Pressure/Temperature Sensor	12 Nov 2021	26 Jun 2023

Investigation: A study of a possible safety defect by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. An investigation with no closing date in the NHTSA file is open.

Other model years

The number under each year is the number of recall campaigns.

A year without a link has fewer than 2 campaigns and fewer than 25 complaints. It has no page.

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Official channels

NHTSA VIN lookupNHTSA shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle from its VIN or its license plate.
NHTSA: report a safety problemThe NHTSA form for a complaint about a vehicle, a tire, a child seat or equipment.
NHTSA page of the 2016 Kia SorentoThe recalls, the complaints and the investigations that NHTSA shows for this model year.

Cite this page

Recall Register. 2016 Kia Sorento: recalls and complaints. https://recallregister.com/vehicle/kia/sorento/2016/. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, recall, complaint and investigation files. Data through 29 Sep 2026.

Sources

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Licence: US government work, public domain
Recall file through: 29 Sep 2026
Complaint file through: 29 Mar 2018
First complaint in the file: 1 Jan 1995
Manufacturer in the recall file: Kia America, Inc.

The NHTSA record is the authority. A complaint count is the number of different complaint numbers for the make, the model and the model year. How the register is made. Report an error.

Questions

How many units are in the recall campaigns for the 2016 Kia Sorento?: 205,074 units in 8 campaigns. A campaign can name other models and model years, and its units include them.
How many recall campaigns does the Kia Sorento have for all model years?: NHTSA lists 40 recall campaigns for the Kia Sorento, model years 2003 to 2026. 8 of them name the 2016 model year.
Is an NHTSA investigation of the 2016 Kia Sorento open?: No. Each of the 3 investigations that name this model year has a closing date in the NHTSA file.